Oakland, CA, 15- 16 – October 2016 – Clars Auction Gallery’s October 15 and 16, 2016 sale was anticipated to be particularly strong in the exceptional Asian works that were to be offered but the end result far exceeded all expectations. It was a small collection of Chinese brush washers, censers, bowl and vases from a private estate that together achieved $275,000. Overall, this impressive sale was the strongest October sale in the firm’s history surpassing last October’s sale by 28%.

The top lot of this group that set the tone for the following staggering prices was a Chinese Longquan Guan-type vase [PHOTO 1] that was estimated to sell for $2,000 – $4,000. This lot opened at $1,000 and heated bidding kept fueling this lot higher and higher to land at a final selling price of $84,700.

Presale estimates continued to be crushed with the next several lots. A Chinese Jun-type bowl [PHOTO 2] was offered for $1,200 – $1,600. This time the bidding was opened at $600 but once again, this lot climbed furiously to finally sell for $66,550. And the numbers kept coming in. Next was a Chinese Guan-type handled censer [PHOTO 3] that was expected to sell for $2,000 – $4,000 but went out at $51,425. Achieving the same amazing price against its $1,200 – $1,600 estimate was a Chinese Longquan-type “Ice” crackle bowl. Coming in at $45,375, was a Chinese Ge-type pear form vase estimated to sell for $1,500 -$2,500) Achieving $42,350 was a Chinese Guan-type handled censer (estimate $1,500-$2,500) and a Chinese Longquan-type brush washer ((estimate $1,500-$2,500).

But the staggering Asian prices didn’t stop with the ceramics. An exceptional collection of Chinese textiles drew worldwide attention and the final sale prices reflected this. A beautiful woman’s gilt couched vest, [PHOTO 4] embroidered with figural roundels, flowers, fruits and butterflies on an elaborate gilt couched ground, came to the sale with an estimate of $2,500 – $4,500. Once again, competitive bidding fueled the sale price higher and higher finally landing at $42,350. A Chinese/Manchu woman’s pink ground silk changyi robe embroidered doubled its high estimate selling for $9,680.

Clars was honored to offer important works by master calligrapher Yu Youren (Chinese, 1879-1964) at this sale. All the lots offered from this collection also exceeded expectations. (Provenance: Estate of a prominent Republic Period official) Topping the Youren offerings was a the calligraphy titled “Yufu.” [PHOTO 5] that sold for $12,100. The next work was dedicated to his daughter-in-law Hu Ying. This work also brought over high estimate selling for $10,890 and the calligraphy dedicated to his son, Wangde, sold for $8,470.

The Asian category didn’t steal all the thunder at this exciting sale. A circa 1960s Rolex GMT Master “Tropical Dial” stainless steel wristwatch, Ref. 1675, [PHOTO 6] was expected to sell nicely for $4,000 – $6,000. Alarm bells went off for collectors when the bidding opened at $2,000 with the next increment jumping to $22,000. The battle finally ticked to a close selling for $45,375.

For more information and complete list of prices realized, please visit www.clars.com or email info@clars.com

Clars’ next Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry/Timepieces and Asian Art Auction will be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 12th and 13th, 2016. The sales will begin promptly at 9:30am on Saturday and Sunday. Previews for this sale will be held Friday, November 11th from 1pm to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9:00 am and by appointment the week prior. A complete catalog will be available online one and one-half weeks prior to the sale. For more information, please visit www.clars.com or email: info@clars.com

Clars Auction Gallery is based in Oakland (CA) and is the largest full service auction gallery in the Western United States. Clars Auction Gallery has been the chosen auction gallery of a number of institutions and distinguished private collectors across the country.

Since 2001, Clars Auction Gallery has sold over $170,000,000 of Fine Art, Furnishings, Jewelry, Vehicles and Collectibles and has set multiple new world auction records. Follow Clars on Facebook and Twitter!